250's for America's 250 · Day 1: Detective Comics #250
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Publishing: Thursday, June 11, 2026 · DC Comics · Cover date: December 1957
Add the cover scan here when publishing.
We kick off the countdown at the very beginning of the comic-book timeline. Detective Comics — the title that literally gives DC its initials — had been running for nearly two decades by the time it hit a round 250, smack in the middle of the Silver Age.
The issue
In the lead story, "Batman's Super-Enemy," a small-time crook named John Stannar stumbles onto a crashed, abandoned spaceship loaded with advanced alien gadgetry. Suddenly armed with futuristic weapons, he becomes the first human to wield this technology and briefly outguns the Dynamic Duo, springing his henchmen and running circles around Gotham's finest. Batman has to out-think a foe he can't out-fight. The issue also carries two backup features typical of the era's anthology format.
Who's in it
Batman (Bruce Wayne), Robin (Dick Grayson), Commissioner James Gordon, and the villain John Stannar. The backups feature Roy Raymond, TV Detective, and an early appearance of the Martian Manhunter under his "John Jones" alias.
Behind the book (creators)
- Cover: Sheldon Moldoff (pencils), Charles Paris (inks)
- Batman story pencils: Sheldon Moldoff · inks: Charles Paris
- Backup art: Ruben Moreira (Roy Raymond), Joe Certa (Martian Manhunter)
- Letters: Ira Schnapp · Editor: Jack Schiff
- Writer of the lead story is not firmly documented (Bill Finger–era staff) — verify on the GCD before publishing a credit.
What it's worth
A genuine 1957 Silver Age book, valued on age and grade rather than a key first appearance. Mid-grade raw copies (Fine/VF) typically run $60–$150, with clean raw VF copies into the low hundreds. Graded examples climb quickly: CGC 8.0+ copies are scarce and can fetch $400–$900+, and a true high-grade 9.x would be a multi-thousand-dollar book. (Confirm a current figure on GoCollect before quoting hard numbers.)
Where to read it (collected edition)
Reprinted in Batman: The Silver Age Omnibus Vol. 1, which collects Detective Comics #233–257 and Batman #101–116.
Part of "250's for America's 250" — counting 24 milestone #250 comics down to the U.S. 250th on July 4, 2026.